ETYMOLOGY

Gang is from the past participle of Old English gan "to go." It is cognate with Old Norse gangr "a group of men," and it is in this sense that the word is used today, rather than the older meaning.

HISTORICAL CRIMINAL GANGS

A wide variety of historical gangs, such as the Chinese Triads, Japanese Yakuza, American Old West outlaw gangs and Italian Mafia crime families have existed for centuries. These early gangs were known for many criminal activities, but in most countries could not profit from drug trafficking prior to twentieth century drug prohibition laws such as the 1912 International Opium Convention and the 1919 Volstead Act. Gang involvement in drug trafficking increased during the 1970s and 1980s, but some gangs continue to have minimal involvement in the trade.

CLASSIFICATION

The dissimilarity between some gangs has prompted the generation of categories to classify gangs based on finances and activities. They also usually account for the dropout rates in the public school system.

a. Scavenger gangs are characteristically disorganized and often represent the least successful of all the types of gangs. Members of scavenger gangs may be low achievers, and may be prone to violent or erratic behavior. Because these gangs are not well organized, leadership of scavenger gangs may change frequently and without reason. Scavenger gangs often turn to low-level crime, usually committed spontaneously and without planning. If a scavenger gang can become more organized, it may be able to grow into a territorial gang.

b. Territorial gangs are typically more organized than scavenger gangs, but their primary purpose is still social. Some may sell drugs, but this is not a defining characteristic of the territorial gang. Territorial gangs will often use violent means to defend their territory; in some cases, this helps the gang to bond and reinforces the social structures of the gang. Gang members may be attracted to territorial gangs because they have difficult home lives.

c. Corporate gangs are highly organized conspiracies, constructed for the purpose of marketing drugs and gaining maximum profits. The symbolism and turfs that are significant to territorial and scavenger gangs are meaningless to corporate gangs. Members of corporate gangs are expected to follow a certain etiquette, and severe punishment can be expected for any faux pas. Leadership of a corporate gang requires a higher level of intelligence than other gangs, and bosses in these gangs will often be highly successful career criminals.

NOTABLE GANG MEMBERS

a. Al Capone
b. Bugs Moran
c. Machine Gun Kelly
d. Barry Mills
e. Larry Hoover
f. Jeff Fort
g. Luis “Huero Buff” Flores
h. Joe “Pegleg” Morgan
i. Raymond Washington
j. Stanley “Tookie” Williams
k. David Barksdale
l. John Gotti
m. Luis Felipe
n. Yaakov Alperon
o. James J. “Whitey” Bulger
p. Frank Lucas
q. Kray twins

GANG SIGNS

Handsigns were first used by Chinese Triads several hundred years ago. Black gang members introduced handsigns to the gang culture in the mid-1950s in Los Angeles. It is believed they copied their handsigns from family members who used secret hand signs in their fraternal societies and masonic groups. Handsigns are a powerful nonverbal form of communication much like the American sign-language. A quick flash of the hand is used as an announcement of gang affiliation or as a challenge or insult. These handsigns, which are quickly displayed with the fingers, hands and body, have very specific meanings to gang members. This nonverbal form of communication has been quickly accepted and adopted by gangs across the nation.

Posting is another form of nonverbal communication utilized by gang members. Posting is a system of postures, facial expressions, and body motions to convey a message. When photographed the gangster may hold their chin up to display their feeling of defiance and arrogance or they may cross their arms and intently stare at someone to show their feeling of disapproval or as a challenge.Another common gang indicator, mostly seen in the Midwest is that of right versus left. If the belt buckle or hat, for example, is tilted to the right or to the left, this may indicate possible gang affiliation. One pant leg or shirt sleeves may be rolled up or the member's hat may be titled to the right or the left, would indicate which gang they affiliate with. When they get dressed, fold their arms or cross their legs, it will be done according to one side first, the other side second or one side on top and the other on the bottom.

GANG POPULATION

Los Angeles is the 'gang capital of America' with an estimated 120,000 gang members. There were at least 30,000 gangs and 800,000 gang members active across the USA in 2007. About 900,000 gang members lived "within local communities across the country," and about 147,000 were in U.S. prisons or jails in 2009. By 1999, Hispanics accounted for 47% of all gang members, Blacks 31%, Whites 13%, and Asians 6%.

There are between 25,000 and 50,000 gang members in Central America’s El Salvador. The Yakuza are among the largest crime organizations in the world. In Japan, as of 2005, there are some 86,300 known members. Hong Kong's Triads include up to 160,000 members. It was estimated that in the 1950s, there were 300,000 Triad members in Hong Kong.

GANG SIGNAL

A gang signal is a visual or verbal way gang members identify their affiliation. This can take many forms including slogans, tattoos, or hand signs. Many of these, especially slogans and hand signs, have become part of popular culture. Tattoos have long been associated with gang membership, and connote the toughness desired by gang members as well as the permanence of gang affiliation. The designs used are frequently symbolic and represent particular deeds, such as murder. Burn-marks may also be a way of recognition to a gang or a gang member.